'Legend of the Sea Devils' Review - Doctor Who

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It's our penultimate outing with Jodie's Thirteenth Doctor and with Chibnall in the big boss chair. The Sea Devils are back after a good while underground, and while we're used to Chibnall doing old enemies justice, did his streak end last night?
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[@pickupchangetoe]

1984 was definitely written on my first pass of the script, but I thought that date sounded too late and obviously replaced it with the '72 serial instead. 😅 Apologies for the flub!

[@ajbartley3432]

Yep...ya just beat me too it!

[@YGGamingOfficial]

No Worries at all Rich, still another fantastic video!

[@kennethnystrom593]

There was a MAJOR reason the 9th grabbed specificly Rose hand in the beginning of "Rose". The birth of our Doctor would had been prevented if Rose had died there. (Because) Rose was the reason our Doctor was born in the first place in the futurepast. (Think; Just like how Ace was born by futurepast events taking place in curse of the Fenric). AND.... Another major spoiler.... Rose have a ton of names beyond the obvious Rose "Bad wolf girl" Tyler Romana. (ROse MArioN (A) White guardian of time. Santa.

[@harryjackson8520]

Warriors of the Deep is actually a pretty underrated story if you get round to watching it

[@a_world_made_of_cardboard]

I thought of the 84 episode when you said 72. Great catch and great video.

[@pun-inator6075]

I felt like this would've worked well as a second episode in a Doctor's run rather than second-to-last. A fun adventure going wrong, giving them chance to interact with a historical figure, an old foe and giving the chance for the new companion to see what the doctor is like going into a situation rather than meeting them mid-emergency.

[@gladiator652004]

That suddenly-appearing trap for the Sea Devil early on in the episode was DREADFUL!!! Could not take the plot seriously after that. You are right that the Doctor and Yaz don't click. HOWEVER, the Doctor and the entire fam did not click - something which ruined the whole era for me!!!

[@paulshorney3465]

Totally agree

[@richardgale4827]

Trap-out-of-nowhere was Scooby-doo level, instantly undermining this week's adversary.

[@lesames3743]

The first 10 minutes , with iffy CGI and that jump , made sit there thinking this isnt good. From there on in it lost me.

[@andywellsglobaldomination]

I have never found Whitaker's Doctor to be relatable... They (non-binary) seem to be living in their head.

[@paulshorney3465]

@@andywellsglobaldomination it's all B.....KS! Ironically! Lol

[@TheMutantCreeper]

The fact that this has been going on for 5 years, yet feels like nothing has happened is baffling. We know little to nothing about these characters while by now with previous Doctors and companions, we would know their fears, aspirations, relationships, and how they behave in certain situations. We know that Amy is a feisty woman who grew a great love and appreciation for her husband and greatly cares for her family. Rory is quiet and has a passion to protect his loved ones and an inner bravery to fight. Yaz is a cop who used to be depressed and has a connection with her grandma. I don’t really know what she likes and what she wants. It’s been 5 years and I really don’t know who she is.

[@Stauno]

If I'm being honest, I forgot Yaz was a cop...

[@RantingThespian]

@@Stauno So did the writers.

[@ronnietexan]

@@Stauno @Stauno If I'm honest I just forgot about Yaz altogether!

[@bluesnake4626]

Bill was more developed from just having one season

[@jannyjan90]

Jeez has it been 5 years!!! Agree, there are characters who are only in for two episodes who have better character development than Yaz. I mean I know more about the maid ( Gwyneth) from Unquite Dead and whaty drives her than I do Yaz... and she was in one episode!! And sorry shippers but Thasmin has absolutely no foundations at all.

[@FixTheWi-Fi]

When Dan was like "you haven't got the hint yet?" I was just thinking that.. yeah no, I can fully believe she hasn't, because The Doctor _hasn't given_ those hints, at least not on screen, and definitely not before last episode.

[@CutleNoodle]

While I'm all for Yaz and the Doctor liking each other, it felt hollow this episode because of how little we've seen that actually develop. Yaz almost felt like a character in the background for a lot of the Chibnall era and the moments where there were hints at something, at least on Yaz's end, were very few, with some treated more as jokes and others being extremely vague. Also, when Dan revealed that Yaz liked the Doctor, it never felt like the Doctor reciprocated, so the idea that Yaz is the person the Doctor would choose if she were to love someone again just felt out of nowhere.

[@Milk88488]

I'm definetly not all for their romance. The Millenia old alien dating another 19 year old is creepy asf

[@kevinfeather3206]

Dan is a brilliant character, one who I quickly warmed to. Very much like Donna, brings fun and light hearted side which works with the show. As I said in my own post I’m sadly not a fan of Yaz, as know next nothing much about her and personally would of preferred Ryan to have remained and a far more rounded character.. I don’t believe they is any chemistry between her and the Doctor and there’s no way the Doctor would feel more for here than River! It is certainly not the actor but the writing, I loved Bill Potts from the off - she just worked.

[@thechillindude4478]

Regarding the over the use of the sonic, I face palmed when the ocean floor was crumbling all around them and yet the doctor had to use her sonic to confirm it

[@fracturedfingers]

That Sea Devil jump to the ship was so ridiculous, lol.

[@MetalMercutio]

Me and the boys rewinded over that part a few times to laugh

[@fracturedfingers]

@@MetalMercutio kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5-1h3miiLl7pLc

[@fastertrackcreative]

Impossible distance aside there's not even enough leverage. Squash and stretch, you still need to compress first.

[@JaviusSama]

Specially when he teleports the rest of the episode.

[@stephen-dfc]

The funniest thing is we then see a bunch of other Sea Devils climbing the ship later on. Obviously he didn’t pass on his talents 😂

[@luigiRobs14]

The episode suffers from second to last episode syndrome, not much is happening outside of teasing the finale and making the episode less important in the long run, this episode had so many moments that screamed two parter crammed into one.

[@Classic80sFanboy]

What your really saying, is that there is no spark between Yaz and the Doctor. With Chris/David and Billie, you could clearly see the friendship and romance blossom especially at the end of episode 2, series 1, when all Rose wants is chips and calls the Doctor a tight wad with a cheeky smile. That in my opinion, is a believable start to a friendship/relationship.

[@woollymoore]

Sorry what confused me was how one person, with a sword, was able to tie two people up and hang them upside down. No matter how good the are at sword fighting, they would have had to put sword down to handle the ropes.

[@zenlavin34]

I was completely blindsided by the romantic interest Yaz had with the Doctor in Eve of the Daleks. I don't recall anything that may have foreshadowed it up until that point.

[@Cs-cp6vo]

It was hinted at in revolution of the daleks

[@CutleNoodle]

There was, like, one per series. Series 11 had Yaz's mom ask if there was anything between them, which was treated more like a joke. There was Revolution of the Daleks where Yaz got more mad at the Doctor than the others, as well as her constantly in the house TARDIS, looking for clues, making it clearer Yaz cared more than the others. Flux had Yaz looking longingly at a prerecorded message of the Doctor. Those last two were super vague with Yaz's actual feelings though and could easily be seen as something simply platonic.

[@LittleChocolateChip]

@@CutleNoodle See, I don't mind a bit of subtlety when it comes to on-screen romance. And certainly in this case, where it's very complicated and Yaz is here trying to grapple with, not only, feeling feelings for another woman, but also a woman who happens to be an extra-terrestrial being and mostly immortal and someone who will almost certainly outlive her - as a gay woman myself, I understand the confusion and mental torment that comes along with such a revelation - and I understand that Yaz would need to deal with all that internally...but there's subtle and then there's just plain not writing the story ;) The bottom line is that this romance, which should have been written with care, was squashed in last minute, possibly in a bid to claw back views.

[@psy-fifan816]

Definitely just waiting for RTD to start his second run. Our 5 year old has been watching all the old new who on iplayer and even he thinks the Jody Doctor is rubbish. Totally agree with you around the Yaz, Doctor relationship story. It’s really only happened over the last three or four episodes and suddenly Yaz is being compared to River!

[@karazor-el9596]

im no russel fan but anything is better than chindrab

[@WalsallHoop]

Profound for such a young age!!

[@1001nevermore]

I was so engaged in this episode that I fell asleep for ten minutes and didn’t bother to rewind it. Sad that this was Jodie’s penultimate. Capaldi got two Masters and the Mondasian Cybermen, Matt Smith got the 50th special with Tennant and the War Doctor, and Tennant got the amazing Waters of Mars. Jodie Whittaker got jipped.

[@xBoringPerfectionx]

Literally gobsmacked when you said yaz is the longest running nu who companion. Like what do we even know about her? The fact that Donna was there for 1 series and has made the biggest impact speaks volumes

[@RogueWJL]

What's even more unfortunate is that Graham was sidelined for a one dimensional Daisy Ridley tribute act. In many ways Graham was FINN. So much potential, so likeable, good actor.....wasted.... Oh for the days of Donna, Will and Martha-companions to care about and invest in I haven't connected with any of them since RTD (first era) other than Bill Potts who was terrific.

[@JaviusSama]

@@RogueWJL I definitely connected way more with the Ponds (after RTD). I hated BIll: she was pretty dull and her only defining quality was her sexuality. And before you say I'm bigoted, I LOVED Jack, you know why? Because he was a fun and interesting character who HAPPENED to be (mostly) gay.

[@markleneker9923]

So glad these unfortunate few years are almost at an end.

[@LostinKateWinslet]

Spot on with the analysis of the Doctor Yaz relationship Rich. Imagine a well planned Yaz story arc culminating in the Doctor letting her in. Oh well, cheap representation it is.

[@625098evan]

I'd prefer they stop exploring heterosexual relationship instead of starting to explore homosexual ones. my kids what this stuff. can we please go back to exploring good verses evil along with basic morality?! the doctor is a bloody alien. how about no romance with any humans at all?!

[@itskashkashi]

Yaz supposedly represents people like me, identity politics wise, and I absolutely despise her story and character. It's honestly insulting to even suggest the doctor thinks yaz is even vaguely interesting or somehow this amazing person when the Doctor has rejected someone like Martha Jones! Like wtf. There was no build up. What has yaz ever done that's even a little amazing? She's just... kinda there.

[@LostinKateWinslet]

@@itskashkashi yeah, Martha Jones had more character development in her opening episode than Yaz has in three seasons. It's my biggest issue with Chibbers. Lack of character development and the tokenistic way he uses ethnicity. Like one of those over-eager liberals wanting to show off how progressive they are. Yaz is just multiple box-ticking.

[@eddiesimbol2661]

when the effects aren't state of the art, Dr who could lean on story telling. when the plot was thin and twisted, Dr who could lean on character development. gay, straight, asexual, none of that is what feels out of sorts. Story telling, Character development. that's the formula

[@Matt42MSG]

With sufficiently good writing, anything else is possible. Without it, the best effects in the world mean nothing - and stunt relationships don't seem credible.

[@agentbarton8972]

Honestly the whole Yaz/Doctor relationship just makes me want to cry at this point. Matt Strevens has openly admitted that it wasn't planned, and I feel like that is such a kick in the teeth for the LGBT+ people this is supposed to be for. I'm not saying they should have thrown it in our faces from episode one, but Yaz has had three full seasons and only in the last handful of episodes has anything concrete actually happened because they only decided last minute to force it into the story without fully considering the consequences of that decision. They have treated LGBT+ representation as an afterthought and somehow think that's okay. And we know it's going to all come crashing down in the very next episode anyway, which makes it even worse. Considering this is supposed to be a victory for representation, it feels so hollow and insensitive as if the writers really don't actually care about the people they're claiming to represent. It feels like they're just doing it claw back some of the respect they've pissed away throughout the rest of the Chibnall era. And as a member of the LGBT+ community myself, the fact that Chibnall has treated the first queer Doctor/companion romance with such disinterest, disdain, and frankly ignorance, just makes me want to curl up in a ball and sob. He doesn't understand the importance of what he is writing, and as a result he doesn't understand that writing it in the way he has can actively hurt people.

[@rickybryan1759]

I keep finding connections between Chimbers and Snyder/DC. They seemingly know and like the canon they are working with and yet are/were both all to happy to walk all over it. We learnt recently Snyder was going to hook Bruce and Lois up it’s the same thing - smashing to action figures together and saying you two kiss now!

[@forrestkerns5627]

Are you saying that it's offensive because they decided to have LBGT characters in Who and at the same time they hired writers that just aren't good? I would say these writers are offensive to ALL Whovians, not just gay ones. The Timeless Child is unforgiveable IMO.

[@rickybryan1759]

@@forrestkerns5627 Moffatt will need to consider where he goes from here re Timeless Child - retcon, accept the give or just ignore it.

[@LittleChocolateChip]

I agree. It's such a sad waste. Honestly though, this whole era has been a bit of a sad waste really. The first female Doctor and it's basically all been pretty crap, hasn't it. Which makes me sad, since every one who had a problem with a woman filling the role can now say "look, I told ya - they let a bloody woman in and look what happens" It's a waste because Jodie has proved to be a fantastic actor in the past and this era could have been really interesting ...but I just think the writing let her down, sadly. And now, the first gay romance between Doctor and companion and it's an absolute after-thought. There is zero foundation for Thasmin and that's a crying shame. What should be a pretty ground-breaking story in Doctor Who history is instead just kind of meh and a bit baffling honestly.

[@rickybryan1759]

@@LittleChocolateChip yeah I mean true equality is that women and LGBTI properties have the same ability to be average as cos het make ones. Sadly we needed this run to be awesome and it fell short but just been ‘OK I guess except for the canon trampling’. There was also a who online industry aimed at fueling misogyny, hate and disinformation about Jodie’s run which is so sad. That’s why I really only follow Rich as he reviews Who in good faith.

[@OperationBlueprint]

When the stone started glowing on his neck I presumed I missed something. Maybe I should have given myself more credit 🤣

[@davidwashburn6388]

Thank you for saying that they don't have a connection. I've been saying it for awhile now and I think you are the first to bring it up in the review for this episode. It's completely fan service since this era has been received so badly.

[@bluesnake4626]

Since Mandip Gill is staying on I can only hope that Moffet can salvage it and actually make a good romance between them. But of course there are a lot of things Moffet will need to try and Salvage after this whole timeless child mess.

[@stuunitt2947]

@@bluesnake4626Why are you mentioning Moffet, (or rather Moffat) when we all know that it's RTD who's taking over after Chibnall leaves?

[@bluesnake4626]

@@stuunitt2947 Sorry got the names mixed up in my head. Your right

[@markelliott9737]

@@bluesnake4626 Mandip is staying on? Why do they need a plank of wood to pop up the set? Hopefully she will be better under RTD as she has been scenery in the last three seasons.

[@chrisphillips1492]

At such low ratings I'm wondering if Doctor Who would struggle to get a SURFSHARK VPN sponsor. 💁‍♂

[@nathanielfarkas4431]

Just leave yeah no one cares

[@chrisphillips1492]

@@nathanielfarkas4431 hopefully not!

[@steveharrison76]

It’s like they saw a pirates of the Caribbean movie and said “oh, we should do that”. I thought it was utterly dire.

[@SimonNeilScott]

I think you've summed up the "romance" perfectly. It just hasn't been built up or given any real context. I don't mind it happening, but it's gonna feel forced and quite traumatic for Yazz when they finally, presumably, kiss and not soon after the person she "loves" regenerations into.... a man (potentially)? Which could be very disturbing and confusing for her.

[@jimmideerichards9554]

This episode is so forgettable, I’m an extremely engrossed individual and take in everything going on when I’m watching things especially in franchises I love like Doctor who etc, I’m normally the go to person that my friends etc go to, to explain everything that’s gone on, that being said I was so bored by this episode that when the end of the episode came and the sea devils got defeated, I completely forgot what the motive even was, and what the sea devils plan actually was as when the doctor fixed it or whatever, I was like, I’ve completely forgotten what the point of this all is 😂😂, and it was at that exact moment I realised….. Chibbers has finally defeated me…. Hurry the f**k RTD… we need you more than ever. Even next weeks episode having the cybermen mixing with the Daleks again, Tegan and Ace returning, I can’t get excited by it cus I know Chibbers is only going to balls it all up and disappoint. I’ve never in all my years of being a whovian, been at the point where I dont want to even bother watching an episode, but have to cus I’ve invested to much into the show. I was already in a foul mood as I was preparing to watch it as I knew it was going to be crap, and oh boy…. It’s the only way Chibbers doesn’t fail to disappoint. As he’s consistently shit at running this show. Again I feel so sorry for Jodie, who can reach her full potential under this terrible show running.

[@joangibb7480]

Yes!!

[@joebrady1694]

This Is gonna sound completely random, but where did you get the dalek figures in the background of your setup? I got into doctor who last year and love your videos, but haven't really been able to find any daleks to put on my shelf.

[@pickupchangetoe]

Most of them are older Character Options models, the larger one is a 12" RC Dalek. Best place to look for these sorts of things is eBay!

[@youtubeaccount697]

Might also be good to wait til 2023. Anniversary re-releases are possible

[@joebrady1694]

@@pickupchangetoe thank you so damn much, I really appreciate the reply

[@detectivesquirrel2621]

Every time there was anything that could've potentially been interesting or entertaining it seemed to be put on fast forward, then you get overly long, overly explaining talking scenes felt dragged out. This episode is unique, it felt both shorter and longer than it actually was at the same time. 3/10... I also didn't recognise Teegan.

[@lgoamity]

Regarding the Electromagnetic Gravity issue... Not sure what 13 keeps in her Pockets that contain more metal then her Earrings. Oh wait. Her Sonic is composed of a large number of melted down Spoons. Could have used her "Sonic" to discover the issue without ever turning it on.

[@thinkingofthings5593]

This, as did the flux epsiodes, has a very strong "Last season of Doctor Who" vibe to it. That happened many times in the Chibnal era (e.g. season 1 finale). Instead of telling a good contained one episode story we get a summary of a much larger story...

[@TheBrowncoatcat]

It's not just the sonic screwdriver anymore. It is a multi-purpose scanning device, with a sonic screwdriver app included.

[@737Wow]

Chibnall managed to make the Pirate Queen boring. Honestly, Asian history has always been badly handled in Doctor Who but this one irks me to the core. She is literally the most bad ass female historical figure and Chibnall made her boring. Haissshh... One more episode. Just one more then it's over.

[@TheTitaniumBunker]

They went to all that trouble warping the throats of the sea devil and making it blink and they didn't bother animating the lips? They had give him a flashing light so you knew he was speaking.

[@brucewayne7838]

chibnall must be so excited that his creation is down to 2.20 million overnight u.k viewers .

[@michaeldemarco9950]

The Sea Devils last showed up in a 5th Doctor story from 1982.

[@NotAgnor]

One of the big things about representation, LGBTQIA+ and woke-ness in this era is that it isn’t written well which makes people think others are being discriminatory when actually it just wasn’t done right. But that’s very bad because it’s the first time it’s happened so it warps the truth

[@flweeptwo]

so much happening while nothing happens and then no big payoff desciribes chris chibnall's run perfectly

[@samrizzardi2213]

If I were to write a Dr Who story about the Silurians/Sea Devils, it would be set at the peak of their civilization during the Eocene.

[@DorothyMcShane]

Clara will still be the longest serving New Who companion with 38 episodes under her belt, while Yaz will only have 27 once the Centenary special comes out 😊

[@colmsdad]

One more episode and we can wave goodbye to Chibbers and the failed experiment.

[@nathanielfarkas4431]

Didn’t fail for me

[@steveribeiro7331]

I can't wait for the chibnall Era to end..as a who fan since 1980 at 5 yrs old..I just hope Davies can inject some life back into the show..and I can proudly display my who collectibles again

[@tmr4342]

When I first seen a screen shot of Tegan & Ace, I thought Tegan was Nyssa.

[@jasonbruce88]

The opening with the pirate queen arriving and breaking the statute was really good. However that went out the window as soon as the Sea Devil lifted his sword.

[@JustJimWillDo]

I thought the Sea Devil jump onto the ship was a nice nod to the outrageous gymnastics of old Chinese and Hong Kong kung fu movies. Check out Crouching Dragon, Hidden Tiger for a modern re-creation. Particularly appropriate given the presence of characters like Madame Ching (鄭氏) and Ji Hun (not an actual person).

[@JohnSmith0137]

I don’t get why everytime Yaz and thirteen have to be a moment, they have to have a talk. It’s not them just having fun like rose and ten. No. They just always need a sit down and turn off the plot just so we can see what’s happening. Like the doctor saying they had a time limit before they’d be trapped but then they just waited for a long time speaking. Like they’re on the clock. couldn’t it be laughs and hugs throughout the episode like they defeat the sea devils then they hug tightly or something. Chibnall did this in power of three as well with Amy and he always has a tendency to do this. He can’t put multiple plots together without shutting one off just to focus on the other.

[@Macapta]

I'd completely forgotten about the chunk of stuff the Pirate lady broke off the statue. What was that for? why was there a map to a treasure stuck inside an alien statue? And how did that statue not break earlier, she tapped that thing and it shattered.

[@MichaelM28]

R.I.P DOCTOR WHO 1963 - 2017

[@manjob2215]

Where did you see the ace and tegan pictures?

[@Drp_br_]

I’m surprised Chibs didn’t suggest that Ace was now a time lord in the next time trailer Ngl

[@brettney0007]

I am glad i am not alone in thinking this episode was just.... Fine! I agree in regards to Yaz and the Dr as it feels like its came out of nowhere and there has been no build up like Rose.

[@KingMuttley]

Class bud, great video, glad you could get it out on time 😁

[@darynvoss7883]

"We haven't seen since 1972" We saw them in 1984.

[@tomtudorweaver1078]

I haven't watched Doctor Who since season 11, but my dad and I came back to watch this one for the Sea Devils, I grew up during the Tennant era but also with re-runs of classic Who, so pretty much every time a classic villain showed up I had the inside scoop, so I've been waiting since around 2007 for the Sea Devils to show up. I'm glad they kept the design fairly consistent and the characterization was about the same as the original series, just less developed and more of a one-note villain. I'm just glad they didn't screw up the Sea Devils, but I also wish they did more interesting things with them story wise since you almost could've swapped them out for just some random new monster and I don't think it would've changed much. The Silurians and Sea Devils were always my favorite classic villains since the conflict was so rich and interesting, they weren't flat out evil like the Daleks or Cybermen, instead they were completely justified in what they wanted but also did show that they weren't mindless monsters, they did entertain the possibility of peace as the Doctor proposed, with it then being humanity who tended to screw it up. Granted we've seen that a few times now and I didn't want an exact retread, the season 5 Silurian story did nothing for me, but that aspect just wasn't played up enough to make the Sea Devils feel three dimensional. Even then the Doctor mentions that the lead Sea Devil seemed more aggressive than the earlier versions, that could've been explored. It's a shame that everything was so average and bland here, the fight scenes and sense of positioning with characters in scenes was so off and probably my biggest issue with the episode. One of the things I loved in the earlier seasons was that the classic villains that were brought back were treated as a bigger deal, they usually got 2-part stories and they were built up, and the Doctor's reaction to them usually did a lot to emphasize how dangerous or important they were, here I don't know if anyone would consider the Sea Devils memorable since they just didn't do a lot with them. To me if they had some better editing and had this be a 2-parter to flesh out the characters and relations, whilst also giving more buildup to the Sea Devils, that would've helped it a lot. All my other thoughts pretty much align with what you said, rampant pace yet hollow story.

[@TheJlook2000]

The Sea Devils reminded me of Gerry Andersons Stingray. I'm afraid I fast-forwarded to the end. I hope this is the last time I do that on Doctor Who

[@total2blue]

I have said in other comments that while this was an ok episode, it shouldn't have been the penultimate episode. It had the feel of an episode that should have been earlier in the series. As for the Yaz/Doctor relationship, there is nothing there. This should have started either at the beginning in this series or even in the last series and built from there, not in the last few episodes of the run. When the Doctor made that comment about her wife, I immediately thought she had to be referring to another wife besides River, as we know about River, we STILL don't know much about Yaz, so between River and Yaz, River would win every time.

[@Protoshag46]

The editing was very strange when the doctor first meets the sea devil in the episode. Definitely, the weakest penultimate modern who story before a regeneration imo. I’m just worried that even if the run time of the centenary is 70 minutes or a bit longer it still seems like that won’t be enough time to handle everything when you consider how many characters and plot threads that need closure are gonna be in it.

[@nathanielfarkas4431]

There saying feature length so it will be over 70 minutes

[@kenadams8385]

Yet another X person saves the Doctor from having to sacrifice themselves

[@thysens]

That line with the Doctor basically shrugging off Dan’s disappearance was hilarious. “Oh he’s wandered off, fuck ‘em.” Part of me thinks it was supposed to allude to the idea that the Doctor wants to spent quality alone time with Yaz - but what kind of insane reverse characterization is it for the Doctor to literally abandon a character for any reason at all, let alone one as ridiculous as a love interest?

[@fernandaalvesrosa5776]

Completely agree. It was a plain episode, did the basics. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't great. Also agree that Yaz and The Doctor have no big build up or great chemistry, but it'll be a victory if they get together nonetheless

[@patrickbarrett7536]

On a side note, do you think we're getting a Christmas/ New Year special this year? If so, they're going to have to pull their finger out...

[@RavenThom]

No, after the last episode in November, we don't get anything till season 14 ep 1 in November of 2023

[@youtubeaccount697]

Is the anniversary special technically the series opener?

[@silentwraithuk]

@@youtubeaccount697 there are Consistant Rumors that the 60th Anniversary won't be Series 14 Episode 1, nor will it feature the 14th Doctor. again these are Rumors, but if it is a Series Opener, it would class as Series 14 Episode 0 like all of the Specials before a Series. For Example: Voyage of the Damned counted as Series 4 Episode 0. But I am confident the Next Doctor will be in the 60th Anniversary, but there is the Worry of The New Doctor being overshadowed with the Special, and I wonder if we'd be getting a mini series or something to help flesh out the new Doctor. We'll see. They made a Risk with Defining David Tennant's Doctor in a X-Mas Special, Especially with the fact his Doctor was in a Coma for most of the episode, yet they still did more Character Development in the little amounts of the Tenth Doctor we had in that episode, than we have had with Yaz or Graham, or even Ryan did in their Runs on the show. Heck Grace had more Character Development than any other character, and she was killed off in her Introductory Episode.

[@markelliott9737]

@@silentwraithuk I had a better feel for 10 after the Christmas episode than I do for 13 after three seasons and multiple specials, the only other modern Doctor that it took a while for me to "get" was Capaldi and that was clearly on purpose as they had Smith explain to Clara that he might be a bit different this time around (and that was to Clara who would be best suited to seeing a new Doctor)

[@bryanabbott6169]

Yasmin and Ryan had far more on-screen chemistry than Yasmin and the Doctor throughout their time together, and they wound up to be just friends. With the obvious editing jumps (no pun intended, but except for the Sea Devil jump that looks like it's from a Chinese play touring company), it felt like it was originally meant to be either a two-parter or a two-hour special, rather than a normal length episode of Dr. Who.

[@gumboboy5446]

Glad that Chibnall will be gone soon. I’m so tired of his stories. There is nothing to them and everything seems forced.

[@pmartinez358]

They can jump with that range? So the sword battle should have been a 1 and done?

[@joangibb7480]

I enjoyed the Marathon leading up to it. All the Matt Smith episodes....had it on 24 hours a day. Just fun to wake up and say, oh look, that's the one where he rides his motorcycle up the side of the building. I had the Sea Devils episode on and I tried to watch it but there was nothing compelling. Visually very beautiful but the story didn't grab me and as usual the music was bland. I found the Harry Potter marathon also very compelling. Went on for days. Love the music...I used to play it at lunchtime when some of the students wanted to stay in my room and eat and read or do work. Charming exciting music. Fantastic Beasts has also become more interesting to me and I'm looking forward to the Dumbledore movie. Eddie Redmayne (?) Seems to have a kind of quirkiness in his acting which might make for a good Doctor. Saw him doing magic on the Graham Norton Show. Now, can he flip the sonic and pocket it with panache?

[@terrimcdonnell2811]

I checked google earlier on today and the next episode is nov 23rd this year

[@YeoYeo32]

Ah character couple shipping, the thing that brought down Once Upon A Time. No show has ever come out well from going down the rabbit hole of putting couples together for the sake of doing fan service because you inevitably alienate the fans on the other side who do not ship the characters. At least Ugly Betty got it right by writing the final scene of the show in such a way that it was open to interpretation and up to the viewer’s own mind as to whether Betty got with her boss or not.

[@taker68]

The Sea Devils (not their real names BTW) were last seen in 1984 in Warriors of the Deep. I didn't recognize Tegan either. The episode was just OK. Really not going to miss this era once gone.

[@grantmason740]

1972? Didn't the Sea Devils crop up in the Davison era?

[@jpm42cartown]

The episode itself? fine. the only word I could think for it. Pirates are always fun, and it was fun. After a rewatch last night and more thoughts, I'm genuinely just like struck with I want these two to work, but the doctor treats Yaz as this amazing person in this life, and I'm like I want to agree but I barely know this person or these two TOGETHER together, but I'm genuinely really happy chib went the way I had guessed back in January which was a, I love you too but I can't do this because pain. Its completely on brand for the doctor and I'm glad in this instance something stayed on brand. I do appreciate pointing out in her own speech that the doctor has dated before and married (ah yes fan service), and that to me at least implying what I had hoped they would do and not make it seem like Yaz is the best person the doctor has ever met, it just implies the doctor has indeed caught feelings for this important person in their current life and is scared about that. and even with the characterization of Yaz or lack there of, Im so here for it. even if it could have been more. I'm going to be so genuinely sad to see Jodie and Mandip go, but I am also way too excited for the centenary and the next RTD era.

[@billkoch2189]

Well said that there's nothing between Yaz and the Doctor -- because Yaz (and all of the 13th companions) are so thinly drawn. Yaz is "the most remarkable person I've ever known." Uh ... what? I think we could all do a litany of companions who have done far more. What would have been amazing -- and very emotionally unaware Doctor-ish of 13 to say would be something like, "I've known humans far more remarkable than you. Martha walked the Earth for a year. Adric died trying to save the Earth -- and he wasn't even human. But you Yaz ... you're good, but you're not remarkable like that. But I'm so drawn to you -- and I just can't explain it. That excites me, baffles me and terrifies me." BOOM ... same sentiment, a funny bit showing the Doctor doesn't have the same human emotions and actually tells the truth about the history of the show.

[@ShaneJMcEntee]

Took me a second to recingise Tegan. Only recongised her as she's been on so many Behind The Sofas on the Complete Series collections.

[@tachyontinman5909]

Wait.. wait.. wait, Yaz is the longest serving companion of New Who. Huh, you learn something new everyday. To be brutally honestly because of the poor story quality of the Chibnall era it feels like Yaz has been here for 5 seconds as a side character, and has only had a tid bit of character development.

[@gsandau]

The BBC is wise to VPNs. I use one, and it detected it. I got in to BBCA using my sister's cable login, though. So, I was able to be underwhelmed like everyone else here. I was looking forward to your review. I thought it was just me.

[@lisac513]

The whole episode just felt janky and awkward. Like there were wholes scenes missing - I thought I'd drifted off and missed the introduction of the necklace earlier in the episode haha! Have to agree with you re Thasmin - I honestly don't mind if they just go for it at this point, we literlally have one episode left with the pair, but they really don't have the on-screen romantic chemistry to convince me this wasn't a late addition to the plot.

[@CuddlyPsycho1134]

Though I've never actually tried, I'm pretty sure you can't skip stones over incoming waves, the stone would just sink. You can only skip stones on calm flat water, like a pond or small inland lake.

[@markpostgate2551]

I'm pretty sure I've seen people skip stones on the sea (I could never do it myself; I don't have the knack). Maybe that's because the sea I'm thinking about is shielded from the open ocean by an island.

[@fxbear]

Finally, a well thought out and meaty review. Glad I found you

[@pitofneverendingsarcasm8476]

The contrast of the beautiful sets and costumes with some of the clunkiest editing I've seen on this show was just....baffling. the depth of scenes always seemed off, like how are you skimming stones when in the wide shot the sea is so far away from you? The fights were hard to follow. Where js the conveniently placed fish net coming from, we haven't been giving any sense if the geography of that whole scene? I'm always incredibly meh on Yaz but at the very least I should be able to rely on the editing make sense? I had to watch a bunch of scenes twice because I was so confused?

[@samuelharmssambamsjm269]

Doctor Who thoughts before watching: Legend of the Sea devils seems to have something of an identity crisis; it can't seem to work out whether or not it wants to be a swashbuckling adventure romp or melancholy exploration of loss, foreshadowing the 13th Doctor's final episode (which feels completely unnecessary, given we all know it's coming). In the end, it kind of did both, kind of did neither. The episode had plenty of style- the visuals were on point, and the prosthetics on the Sea devils looked amazing- but very little substance. The pacing and Direction have a frenetic, overenergetic feel, with massive, obvious cuts which are jarring, and make it feel like you're playing catch-up whenever a scene starts, picking through the dialogue (which is often clunky) to put together the parts left on the cutting room floor. Prime examples of this; the cut to the beach with Dan and Ying ki who's name I definitely looked up) on the beach, a scene which was delivered detached from anything else and only really served to create a reason for The Doctor and Yaz to get some "Alone time" or Ji Hun suddenly being free with no explanation. Which leads into the plot and scripting. Here, many of the issues with the Chibnall era rear their head; the two plots feel disjointed. The "Dan plot" has it's moments, but none of them really felt earned. The whole Sea monster plot is a neat concept for a whole episode and perhaps would have worked better as the primary threat initially before the sea devils were eventually revealed. But in this episode, it serves absolutely no purpose and achieved nothing really other than providing a classic who nod to *THE* Loch Ness Monster, randomly not destroying Madame Ching's ship and taking the Doctor and Yaz somewhere they were going anyway. The whole plot creates a issues with logistics; journeys on a ship that size with a crew of three would have taken a long time, so how long were the Dan gang travelling? The emotive hook for Madame Ching was viable, but with no build up, devoid of context, it leaves no impact. The Doctor and Yaz's plot is stronger, but falls into some familiar traps - the Doctor continues to follow the sonic everywhere, which, amongst it's dizzying array of capabilities, continues to demonstrate its ability to find the plot where ever it may hide ( why didn't she just follow the earing or a compass or make a pendulum to find the Geomagnetic field? It would have made sense, been visually interesting, ) as well as a frustrating reliance on long, eye-rolling exposition scenes, where the Doctor explains exactly what she is doing whilst she is doing it and then what she has done as soon as she's done it (Chibnall still, after six years, Cannot write for a young audience). But this plot line also contained some of the best bits of the episode in the Doctor and Yaz's interplay, with Mandip and Jodie both selling their deepening feelings through furtive glances and coy smiles, Though the resolution was a bit... lacking. The Doctor could easily have given more context to their relationship with Rose and River. Also, if they're living for the moment, why didn't they just commit? It would've added a whole new level of emotional gut punch to Jodie's final episode. And what of the Sea Devil's? As I've said, they look great, reimagined faithfully and wonderfully expressive, though poor direction during the first converssation with the Doctor means that their mode of communication is lost (a tight shot on the face meaning you can't see the glottis moving or comms necklace glowing), making it unclear why the mouth barely moves. But from here, things get a bit wonky. It's never really established why the sea devil crew never came to find their captain in the 200 yrs or so he was a statue, or even why he was a statue in the first place (it's implied it was a keystone thing. I think.). And they never really felt threatening in the slightest. They have cool swords, but where were the sonic guns? Additionally, The main villain has next to no relatable motivation. Even if it was just "humans killed my dog" it would an improvement on "I want to flood the world because I can." And as for that plan... Obviously, I don't go to Doctor Who for 100 % scientific accuracy (remember that time in ice warriors where CO2 build up caused and Ice age?) , but someone needs to tell the the sea devils and the doctor that flipping the magnetic poles would do bugger all to sea levels. Turning it of could potentially result in the atmosphere getting stripped by a solar storm Though perhaps the Mcguffin was going to shift the earth's axis? That would at least change the tides honestly? Who knows. The writers didn't. they couldn't seem to settle on what the heck it did. Basically anything? A Mcguffin, and a badly written one at that. Finally, how have we reached the penultimate episode to Jodie's run and still be no closer to a consistent morality for her? How do we go from her chastising Ji-hun one moment to handing Dan a sword and *checks notes* killing *all* the sea devils the next? On the subject, no mention of the flux and the mass genocide perpetrated there? At all? OK then. overall, as I said, This is a beautiful disaster. There are glimmers of definite good things and the cast sell what they're given well. It is still not the worst episode of Chibber's run, but far from the best. 4/10

[@HarryBarr]

Why could Dan converse with the pirates if there was no TARDIS nearby to translate for them?

[@darynvoss7883]

It has a lingering effect on the brain, as shown in quite a few episodes.

[@HarryBarr]

@@darynvoss7883 ah fairs, was very confused

[@lesames3743]

Great vid. Agreed with all your comments. Really worried that Chibnall is packing too much into a small timeslot again, and these great old doctor who characters will be ill used. To be fair , can't sit for C to go. Really sad 13th didn't get the stories she deserved. But really, do any of these writers know how to write for doctor who anymore?. Cliff hangers .

[@CardiffOneOne]

"Her and Yaz"??? Ouch...😳

[@MrNickInc]

looks like AA/PP broke at 12:13

[@GordonHudson]

I have been watching Doctor Who since 1972. This was the first episode I didn't watch to the end. I quit about half way through. Lots of reasons, but the misuse of sonic seems to be bleedover from Harry Potter. It was quite evident in Flux where you had wand fights and even broomsticks.

[@kennethnystrom593]

Hey Rich Hutson; compare this episode with "Hungry Earth/Cold blood" and realise they are basicly the same...... (this explains so much when you start realising it that that is because that need to happen to keep the ripoff on track with the Hungry Earth/Cold blood story.)

[@TheMutantCreeper]

Honestly the only thing I liked was The Doctor using a rock to see what’s up with the magnetic field.

[@itskashkashi]

I bought a vpn to be able to watch Doctor who on iplayer and honestly I was so uninterested in the Easter special that I almost forgot it was on. Then I was in no rush to watch it and when I did I just wanted it to end. I'm sorry and sad to admit but I'm glad I'll be over soon, and we get a fresh start with Chris. I really hope he's able to bring back Doctor who. It's one of my obsessive special interests and I cant explain how saddening it is to get no joy from new installment anymore.

[@johnwellbelove148]

I watched it whilst on holiday in Spain. I was almost embarrassed (actually, no, I was embarrassed) to admit to my wife the next morning of how dire one of my favourite shows had become. She's never been a fan of Dr.Who because she thought it was too 'silly'. I've sadly found myself now agreeing with her.

[@andykey78]

I'm not sure but was the Matt Smith/Peter Capaldi TARDIS central column repurposed in the Sea Devils base? It looked very familiar. I thought that this episode was bad and it made no sense - what actually was the 'legend of the Sea Devil's'? It seemed to be thrown together in a hurry and held together with technobabble, exposition and pace but there was no plot. I'm genuinely worried about the centenary special, it seems like Chibbers has thrown everything and the kitchen sink at it! And it's a lose lose for me - I'll either be upset because what should be a fun romp celebrating Doctor Who will be rammed full of Timeless Child guff and trying to tie up loads of dangling plot threads or I'll be upset that it was a fun romp celebrating Doctor Who but we never finished off the aftermath of Flux, Ruth, Division, Tecteun etc. I can't see how it can do both successfully so will probably be a half arsed attempt at doing both. Honestly, if you can F up the Sea Devil's with Chinese Pirates which sounds amazing then my expectations are very low...

[@doctor1206]

I'm very excited for the finale... because I will see the Doctor Whitaker dying :p

[@Gazman4816]

Chibs is a genius & Whitaker one of the best doctor and will be sorely missed.

[@mariacorderoy743]

I will have a little of what you are on mate!!!

[@rydon5603]

Are we going to get a tour of your collection ?

[@stephjovi]

I suppose we get another Halloween special

[@georgechampion1932]

Any word on the next episode of the podcast

[@davidmurrell5143]

One thing I do hope when RTD comes back, especially since he started the trend, is that we stop having the Doctor falling for a companion. I don't have an issue with who the companion is or the gender of the Doctor at that point, I am just so bored with the Doctor falling in love with a companion. The character is a shape changing immortal, falling for something that has the comparable lifespan of mayfly, especially since we all know the companion will be abandoned within a season or two, just feels a bit off. It is like someone falling romantically in love with their pet, no it isn't cute it is a bit icky

[@fxbear]

It never occurred to me to utilize a vpn. Months without anything from Who and when it did drop, they wanted $25 a month for a streaming service I’d never heard of. As it was, I waited another little while before it popped up on appletv. I gladly shelled out $3 for…a Turd. An actual Turd on my tv. I love Jody and I think she makes a good doctor but they have sabotaged her from the start with piss poor production. This last episode was actually less watchable than the 1970 dr who & the daleks movie, which it just so happens, is the only dr who available to me here in the states. I got through that one thanks to the improve team Rifftrax (formerly Mystery Science Theater 3000) who skewers the bad movies while you watch them. Thanks for the vpn idea.

[@captbuckyohare5585]

Yes a victory for representation. But is it representation done well? Because no one wants to be represented in something that sucks. And when something sucks, representation doesnt make it better. Representation should never be some weird crutch for bad writing and execution.

[@brysimm404]

The “dynamic” between 13 and Yaz is forced, weird, and clearly woke service. I’m only looking forward to the finale to see 13 regenerate and put this Doctor behind us. Goodbye Chibnal!

[@keith.morgan]

I want to know how Dan understood everyone after “wandering off” and the Tardis going back 200 years… I thought it was the Tardis that translated everything. How can it when it’s not there?

[@Matt42MSG]

The same way it could direct calls from Rose's cell to her mother; it has the ability to retain a connection between its passengers and itself across time and space.

[@ReinatakaharaVT]

The problem is like you said no chemistry there's no real connection . And it comes off as shallow .

[@GoblinSing]

Nothing about this representation can be 'huge' at this point. There's no time, if they kiss in the final minute of the final episode it won't suddenly be a 'big deal'. It's still awkward and knowing RTD he'll be much more forefront with actual well done representation, probably in the same vein. It's pointless for Chibnall to half-ass it now while all it does is try to nab some clout for doing the 'first lgbt Doctor relationship' Or first lgbt Doctor kiss? It'll struggle to be an actual relationship, so if you count back to Parting of the Ways where Jack kisses the Doctor... This is just the first lesbian kiss I guess, involving the Doctor, because Vastra and Jenny and all that.. It's not special and I'd hesitate to call it representation at all at this point.

[@davidrosler5413]

Thank you for mentioning the wobble. It was what I thought it was from many years of working with it: rear screen projection (and it could have been a lot better, the hotspot was the tipoff for me.) Did not watch the show however. I have long had enough of this junk.

[@triplejazzmusicisall1883]

The Sonic Screwdriver could once open locked doors whereas now it can save the entire universe just by waving it about, oh, and also having Jodie's Doctor telling us exactly what it is doing. It has become an embarrassing way of solving moments in the story where Chibnall can't think of a creative and convincing way out. Just terrible especially for those of a certain age. Peter Davison didn't even need to have a sonic! I would like to see it put away again for awhile. The writers then need to think deeply and imaginatively and formulate interesting story plot solutions and conclusions.